Interview several families and ask the parents what type of child care they could benefit from, and the extent to which this type of service is already provided by local businesses. Look at census data for your community, including the number of working families with children of an appropriate age, the number of recent marriages, and the income distribution of those families. You can find this information from a number of sources, including the U. S. Census Bureau or your local municipal government office.
What age groups are already being served? What are the hours of the other businesses? What types of child-care services are already on offer in your community? How many of these types of businesses already exist in your community?
When making this decision, consider that home-based child-care businesses generally have fewer expenses and lower overhead, have more flexible hours, and are more convenient for you and, likely, the parents whose needs you will be serving. The legal requirements to operate a home-based child-care business are also generally less strict than those for a center-based child-care business. [1] X Research source That said, it is still heavy work and taking care of everything by yourself at home can be a burden if you’re not ready. On the other hand, a center-based business—while probably more expensive to establish and operate—will provide greater space so you can expand your business and earn greater revenue. Childcare businesses are heavily regulated federally and at the state level as well. It’s extremely important to do your research to be sure you have all of your licenses and insurances.
Do you want to offer care based around a particular faith? Do you want to offer a learning environment focused on building or reinforcing skills? Do you want to offer a space for children to come and play? Deciding what type of service you will offer up front will not only allow you to build the business you want, but it will also allow you to budget for the things you might need to run such a center effectively (educational materials, toys, etc. ).
Licensing, inspection, and insurance fees. Medical testing and clearance. Safety devices (e. g. , smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, carbon-monoxide detectors, first-aid kits, child-proofing supplies, etc. ). Food, toys, and equipment for your planned activities. Wages for prospective employees. Advertising/legal/professional-service fees. Rent, mortgage, and utility fees.
You will need to check with the secretary of state’s office for your state to ensure that your proposed name does not conflict with any other name currently on record with the secretary of state.
You should strongly consider speaking with a local attorney experienced in business formation/structure in order to get a good understanding of the different types of structures available to you before you choose one.
What sort of business license you need to operate your business, and how to obtain this license. What sort of building codes you must meet. What sort of occupancy laws are in effect in your county (i. e. , how many children will you be able to take care of legally?). You can also contact your local child-care agency (an arm of state government) by typing in your zip code on this website and clicking “search for your local agency. "
Is the location convenient for parents? Does public transportation serve your proposed location? Is the area safe? Is the space adequate for the business you intend to run there? Does it have adequate kitchen/bathroom facilities/fixtures?
If you do not pass the first time, you will likely be given an opportunity to correct the errors and arrange to be inspected again.
A fire-safety inspection. A health inspection. An environmental health inspection.
Attending an orientation session where you will learn about state and local requirements for operating your business and complying with applicable state law. Filling out a licensing application. Paying a licensing fee. Working with the licensing agency as it reviews your business plan, inspects your facility, and completes the licensing process. Taking classes focused on CPR, first-aid, and the like. Undergoing a background check (and fingerprinting) for you and any prospective employees. Undergoing medical testing/immunizations for you and any prospective employees. Since babies aged six months or younger cannot get vaccinated, it’s ethical that the professionals taking care of them are vaccinated. In some cases there’s no license for caring for four or fewer children at a time.
Your local municipal government office should be able to tell you which types of insurance are required based on the type of child-care business you intend to start.
As with choosing a legal structure for your business, tax law is quite complex and you should strongly consider enlisting a tax specialist to ensure you are paying taxes properly and complying with applicable law.
Child-sized furniture (tables, chairs, desks, etc. ). Arts and crafts materials (pencils, crayons, paper, safety scissors, etc. ). Toys (games, puzzles, dolls, action figures, Legos, building blocks, etc. ). Children’s books. Healthy, nutritious snacks/meals. Storage containers for personal belongings, hangers for coats, etc.
Try to find candidates that have previous employment experience working with children (e. g. , babysitters, teachers, camp counselors, etc. ). Educational credentials are important as well. Look for potential hires who have received academic training in child care, child education, child development, or a similar field. While not necessarily a legal requirement in all jurisdictions, you should also consider if a potential hire has any relevant certifications, like CPR or first-aid training. Depending on the laws of your particular state, you will also likely need to ensure your employees have passed certain background checks, such as state and federal criminal-record-history checks or child-abuse checks.
Think about how you will describe the particular service you plan to offer. How is it different/better than what is already out there? What ages do you serve? What will your hours be? Think about the price you will charge, based on your previous market research, so that you can be competitive with other child-care businesses in the area. Think about the advantages your location offers (great parking, safe, convenient, etc. ). If you have staff, think about how to market them as well. What qualifications/certifications/specialities do they bring to your business?
Word of mouth. Posting fliers/posters in public spaces in your community (be sure to get permission from the owner of the property/building you plan to put your fliers on first, though!). Distributing brochures/business cards at libraries, church meetings, PTA meetings, neighborhood get-togethers, etc. Placing an ad in the classified section of a local paper.
If you are unsure of how to begin, try asking parents in your area what they would like a child-care facility to offer or perhaps how they structure their child’s time at home.
